Music at Texas State University

Texas State's music program nearly doubles the national median for music graduates, putting students at $51,158 in their first year—a rare win in a field where most programs leave graduates earning in the mid-$20,000s. That's an impressive national showing at the 95th percentile. However, within Texas's unusually strong music ecosystem, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, behind programs at Sam Houston State, UT Rio Grande Valley, and several others that consistently place graduates above $56,000.

The bigger concern is what happens after that strong start: earnings drop 11% by year four, falling to $45,336. This pattern could reflect the instability of music careers—where early teaching or performance opportunities don't always lead to sustained income growth—or graduates pivoting to lower-paying work. With $26,241 in debt (roughly half the first-year salary), students aren't overleveraged, but they need to understand they're likely earning *less* four years out than in their first year.

For families considering music degrees, this program proves it's possible to launch successfully in a notoriously difficult field. But Texas offers stronger options if earnings stability matters, and the state's competitive music education landscape means your child should compare outcomes carefully among the dozen-plus programs that outperform this one.